Windows Update: FAQ

Looking for the Windows 10 Creators Update? When it’s ready for your device, you'll receive a notification asking you to review your privacy settings before downloading the update. After it’s installed, your device will be running Windows 10, version 1703.

The best way to keep your PC current is to turn on automatic updates. With automatic updates, you don’t have to search for updates online or possibly miss critical fixes or device drivers for your Windows PC. Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available.

Note

If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might be unable to change settings related to Windows Update. For more info, contact your organization’s support person.

To turn on automatic updates in Windows 10:

Note

Windows 10is a service, which means automatic updates are turned on by default and your PC always has the latest and best features.

Select Advanced options, and then under Choose how updates are installed, select Automatic (recommended).

To turn on automatic updates in Windows 8.1:

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. If you want to check for updates manually, select Check now.

Select Choose how updates get installed, and then under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended).

Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box.

Under Microsoft Update, select the Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows check box, and then select Apply.

To turn on automatic updates in Windows 7:

Select the Start button

. In the search box, enter Update, and then, in the list of results, select Windows Update.

In the left pane, select Change settings, and then under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended).

Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box, and then select OK.

The time required to download updates primarily depends on connection speed, network settings, and the size of the update. Make sure your PC is plugged in and connected to the Internet to download updates faster.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history.

To see update history in Windows 7:

Select the Start button

, then select Control Panel > Programs, and then under Programs and Features, select View installed updates.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history.

Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

To see update history in Windows 7:

Select the Start button

, then select Control Panel > Programs, and then under Programs and Features, select View installed updates.